WELCOME BACK!!!
Panther Prowl - August 2024
🤝 PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE & VP CORNER 🍎
Welcome to a new and exciting school year! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable summer break. As we gear up for another fantastic year at Glen Edwards Middle School, I wanted to take a moment to share some important updates and extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you.
First and foremost, I am thrilled to welcome our returning students and families, as well as those who are new to our school community. We are excited to have you join us and look forward to a year filled with learning and memorable experiences.
Our district is in the process of hiring a new principal for our school. We will keep you updated on this important development.
Our dedicated staff has been working diligently to prepare for the upcoming year. From refining curriculum plans to creating a welcoming environment, we are committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. We believe in fostering a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where each student can reach their full potential.
As we embark on this new journey together, please know that my door is always open. Whether you have questions, concerns, or ideas to share, I am here to listen and support you. Together, we can make this school year a wonderful and enriching experience for all.
Our office reopens on Tuesday, August 6th but if you need anything in the meantime, don’t hesitate to email me.
Our first day of school is quickly approaching and students return on Thursday, August 15th. We will be on a regular school day schedule, with gates opening at 8:00 am and classes beginning at 8:15am and the last class ending at 2:55pm. (ATTACHED BELL SCHEDULE)
Please continue reading below for important information about:
6th Grade Orientation
7th Grade TDAP & Chromebook Distribution
7/8th Grade Schedules
Pictures and IDs
PE Clothes
Yearbook Purchases
Athletics
24-25 Emergency Cards
Suggested Supplies
Panther Spirit Store
We will send out additional information before 8/15/24 with more details about the first few days of school so be on the lookout for that communication.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Let’s make this school year one to remember! Excited to see you all soon!
Go Panthers!!
Mrs. Fernandez, Assistant Principal
6th GRADE ORIENTATION (Students Only) 🧭
Our 6th grade students will begin building strong relationships with their fellow Panthers through various activities. With their student leaders, 6th grade students will participate in their first GEMS Rally, participate in different group activities, receive their schedule and take a campus tour. As much as we appreciate and value your support and involvement with your Panther, Orientation is a student-only event our student leadership team organized in order to empower your student as they transition to GEMS.
Wednesday, August 7th
Orientation: 9:00am-11:00am
Parents can drop off at front gate starting at 8:45am, and pick up will be at 11:00am
Location: GEMS Campus
7th GRADE : 💉 TDAP & CHROMEBOOK DISTRIBUTION 💻
All students entering 7th grade must provide proof of immunization. In order to attend school this fall documents must be received and verified. Please note the date and time below to complete this task. Specific grade level immunization requirements can be found under "Items of Interest for Panthers".
TDAP PPWK drop off:Wednesday, August 7th
Front Gate: 12:30-3:00pm
7th grade students to turn in copy of immunizations with TDAP and Varicella
Upon completion of 6th grade, student chromebooks were collected and over the summer our technology department performed the necessary updates on these devices. 7th grade students will obtain their school issued chromebook once school has started.
CHROMEBOOK Distribution:
Thursday, August 15th: students will go to the library with their ELA teacher to checkout and be issued a chromebook.
7th & 8th GRADE SCHEDULES
7th and 8th grade students can view (print-if they choose) their schedules from Power School after 8/12/24. If schedules are viewed prior to 8/12/24, there is a good chance they will not be finalized. Some classes are still fluctuating and we appreciate your patience.
PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL NOT BE A DESIGNATED DAY FOR 7TH & 8TH GRADERS TO PICK UP SCHEDULES.
PICTURES & ID CARDS 📸
SAVE THE DATES!!!
Pictures & ID Cards will be done in PE classes on Monday 8/19/24 (more information on pricing and how to order forthcoming)
Make ups will be September 24th
These are the two dates to have student pictures taken and these images will be used for the yearbook.
PE CLOTHES 👟
$10 shirts
$10 shorts
$20 set (shirt and shorts)
YEARBOOK PURCHASES
We sold out of yearbooks last year and are offering pre-orders at the lowest price of the school year, $48. This offer expires on August 23rd with prices going up throughout the year. Pre-order your yearbook online at jostensyearbooks.com
8th grade parents: Tune into Schoology for information about 8th grade dedication ads
ATHLETICS - FALL SPORTS 🏐🏈🏃
All sports mentioned above are open to 7th and 8th grades while Cross Country is open to 6th graders as well.
Questions?
Athletic Director: jnoonan@wpusd.org
Girls Volleyball: dluci@wpusd.org
Boys Flag Football: tcolson@wpusd.org
Cross Country: rsmith@wpusd.org
🆘 ANNUAL REGISTRATION UPDATE (AKA: EMERGENCY INFO)
The link is live and open for all parents of WPUSD students to update their student emergency contact information and e-sign waivers on-line. https://powerschool.wpusd.org/public/
Please take a few moments to confirm, update and submit each module of information by August 15th. There are new modules that have been added this year.
SUPPLIES 📝🎒
Please note: School supply lists will be shared by each teacher/class on their syllabi. The syllabi for each class will be handed out in the first week of school. A few general items to be sure your student is ready:
Backpack
Spiral & Composition Notebooks (100 pages +)
Pencils
Pens
Highlighters
glue/glue stick
Colored folders (one for each class) or a binder with sections for each core class with binder paper
Coded headphones to work with chromebook
OUR 24/7 GLEN EDWARDS MIDDLE SCHOOL Sideline Store is up and running. Stop reading and start shopping to score the latest fan wear and accessories.
*PLEASE NOTE: THESE CLOTH ITEMS WILL NOT MEET PE UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS. DO NOT PURCHASE FOR PE CLOTH FROM HERE.
APTS 🤝
Items of Interest for PANTHERS 🐾
FOOD SERVICES
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SPORTS:
IF your student wants to participate in any athletic capacity be sure you have an account created in Final Forms and physical clearance by a physician.
- Parent AND Student must create their own account, fill out and submit information via FINAL FORMS
- All students must have a current PHYSICAL on file with the school (current means within the past year).
NO CHILD WILL BE ALLOWED TO PRACTICE OR PARTICIPATE WITHOUT THE PROPER FORMS. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE GRANTED.
ATTENDANCE REPORTING
Check out the flier below. There are several ways to report absences. We hope you find it useful!
DID YOU KNOW..??..
- When you receive a message that your student was absent, you can respond easily by clicking on the link within the message to report your student's absence.
- 7th period is actually the students PAW period and the first class of the day Tuesday - Friday.
- ALSO NOTE: There will be NO TRAVEL STUDIES allowed to last two weeks of school.
INCOMING 7TH GRADE - IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT 🥼
Dear Parent or Guardian of a 7th grade student:
Before your student enters the 7th grade this Fall 2024, documentation of Tdap- 1 dose (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis – whooping cough booster usually given at ages 11and up) and Varicella – 2 doses (VZV and/or MMRV -usually given at 12 months and 4-6 years) is required. In addition, please make sure that your student is current with all other immunizations.
If your student is up to date with all the required immunizations, please bring proof to the office for our health records. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact our office as soon as possible by calling 916 - 645- 6370.
Thank you!
GEMS Health Services
THE FOUNDRY
The Foundry is an After School Program available for GEMS students to see friends, get homework help, eat snacks, play games and participate in some Recreational Programs coordinated by the Foundry. This is a no cost program available Monday through Thursday.
We hope to see you at the Foundry after school once it starts!! It's going to be a GREAT School Year!!!
Follow Us On Facebook! 👍
Don't forget to follow our GEMS Facebook Page to stay on top of all the fun things we are doing around campus! Click this link or the picture below to follow!
We Are 105 Podcast
We Are 105 is a podcast produced by GEMS Advanced Broadcasting class. Find it on our YouTube channel, Spotify, and Apple.
GEMS TV
GEMS TV is a morning news show produced by the students of the GEMS Advanced Broadcasting class.